Glinhaven

Glinhaven by Deborah O'Toole is a traditional gothic fiction novel similar in style to classic 1970s paperbacks written by Dorothy Daniels, Marilyn Harris, Victoria Holt, Marilyn Ross (aka Dan Curtis), and Phyllis Whitney.

Piper Hunt leaves Boston to take over her grandfather's unique curio shop in Glinhaven. While adjusting to life in the quaint seaside village, she uncovers dark secrets hidden at the forbidding Glinhaven Monastery which may unlock mysteries from her past.

From Chapter Seven

CAM WAS TRUE TO HIS word. After they closed their respective shops for the night, he made a quick trip to the grocery store - which was located between the bread store and the library on Main Street - and came up the stairs to Piper's apartment bearing two plastic bags full of foodstuffs.

"Once you've had my meatloaf, you'll never go back," he teased her as he set the grocery bags on the kitchen counter.

Piper laughed. "Do you need help putting it all together?"

"Sure. Can you chop up the veggies?"

"Gladly." Piper retrieved a large, wooden cutting board from its place alongside the stove, placing it on the counter. Then she poured two glasses of sangria wine, handing one of them to Cam. While he mixed ground beef and various spices in a large aluminum bowl, Piper chopped onions and stalks of celery, and then peeled two long carrots. The twosome talked about their day as they worked side by side, discussing business aspects of their shops.

"Even though I practically grew up in The Thistle, I had no idea what was involved in running it," Piper confessed as she used a hand grater to shred the carrots. "Before I left for Boston, I'd help out on weekends, sure, but I was unaware of the day-to-day business angle. Inventory, insurance, payroll, taxes . . . the list goes on."

"Running the show is harder than it looks," Cam agreed as he broke two eggs on top of the meat mixture in the bowl.

"My grandfather kept meticulous records," Piper said. "And having Annabelle stay on has also been a tremendous help."

Cam took the cutting board from her, deftly sliding the chopped and shredded vegetables  into the bowl, using the backside of her knife. "Working on Wall Street was a good experience for me," he told her. "It was a preview of sorts to running my own business, you could say."

Piper leaned her hip against the counter, sipping her wine as she watched Cam assemble the meatloaf. After combining the chopped vegetables and shredded carrots with the meat mixture, he poured a can of tomato sauce over the top and began mixing it with his hands. He asked Piper to add prepared fine breadcrumbs into the bowl as he continued to work the meat with his hands.

On impulse, Piper reached over and gave him a sip of her wine as his hands were otherwise occupied. He met her eyes and winked. She felt a rush to her stomach, thinking how handsome Cam looked in his navy blue turtleneck shirt and black jeans.

Still with his hands in the bowl, Cam leaned over slightly and brushed his lips against hers. Piper felt the rush to her stomach again as their kiss lengthened. She drew in her breath when he finally pulled away.

"I'd better get this into the oven," he said in a husky voice, watching her. "Otherwise, we'll be eating at midnight."

"Of course," she murmured.

Cam shaped the meat into a loaf pan, and then placed three strips of raw bacon lengthwise on the top.

"Raw bacon?" she questioned.

"Don't worry, it will cook right along with the meat and be just fine."

"It smells delicious already."

"It will be."

After Cam placed the meatloaf in the oven, he helped Piper prepare a salad using Boston lettuce, otherwise known as butter lettuce, along with sliced radishes, green onions and cubes of cheddar cheese, all bathed in a dressing of olive oil and red wine vinegar. He covered the salad and set it in the refrigerator while Piper tided the kitchen. She poured them a second glass of wine, and then they repaired to the couch while dinner baked.

Cam glanced at her. "Any thoughts?"

"Thoughts about what?" Piper was unsure what he was asking her.

He smiled gently. "Oh, living in Glinhaven for starters. Anything about Lady Glinhaven, or the monastery? Or about the nefarious individual, or individuals, who attacked us? Or how about us. Have you thought about me and you?"

Piper was stunned, and a little nervous. She did not know what to say. Should she tell Cam how she really felt about him - she knew deep in her bones she was falling in love with him - or was it too soon? He answered her question next.

"I'm in love with you, Piper," he said quietly, before she could speak. He watched her closely for a reaction.

"Cam," was all she could say, suddenly struck speechless.

He smiled. "It's okay, Piper. It's nothing to be afraid of." She stared at him, open-mouthed. He continued. "I know you care about me. I can feel it."

"I love you," she said simply, without hesitation this time.

He leaned over and began kissing her. Then he stopped, taking their wine glasses and setting them on the coffee table. Then he drew her into his arms, kissing her tenderly. Piper closed her eyes, reveling in the feel of his touch, and the pressure from his lips.

It was true. She loved Cam MacDevitt with every fiber of her being.

He pulled her even closer, and she lost herself in his embrace.

It was a long time before they sat down to dinner.